Day 1 at Sepang (MotoGP)?

Hi Proc,

After the first tests my first conclusion is that now is very clear which bike is the fastest and which one is the slowest of´em all. Many tests and races different riders on equal bikes are scattered all over the time sheets. This time it´s clear to me the running order (in terms of the bike only) is Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Ducati. Of course many of them are really close and the gaps are not huge, but the fact that consistently Honda riders are on top and Ducati ones in the bottom is quite clear.

I´m really disappointed Yamaha has not been able tu engage a title sponsor. I know Vale left, but last year they crushed everyone with Jorge not with Valentino, and I believe they´re failing massively to capitalize these championships in order to secure a proper sponsorship and funding. This is in my opinion a reflection of the bad shape MotoGP is having these days.

I think Honda will thrive with three competitive works riders pushed by a fourth riding a "satellite" bike. I think Simoncelli will have a great second season and if Dani and Casey stay healthy and on the bike they will have a good shot to become champions.

I don´t like Valentino´s leathers or bike livery. Ducati color scheme and VR46 color scheme DO NOT MATCH. They switched the Red for a phosfor-pinkish-orange ... but I think it takes time to adapt the eye.

I´m looking forward for this season !

Yeah a good test so far. VR and Jerry were seen laughing in the pits but also scratching their heads a little.

I think the final day will be a good judge to how Qatar will go.

The plain blue SHlTTY looking Yamaha are going great, very fast and good corner grip. Ben has said he has changed his style again to try and keep the bike of the sidewall as much. He hopes to get punch out of the bends.

The whole Yamaha no sponsor is a joke. The Spanish people must not like Jorge at all.

Criville got Repsol, Sete got Telefonica. JL cant get anything.

Monster sponsor Yamaha AMA & small deals with Yamaha WSB now. Also personal deal with Ben, but due to Jorge wanting to be different, Monster refused to sponser the whole team after JL99 picked up RockStar. Yet another bad decision from Lin Jarvis. He should have stepped in.

For the first time since forever Dani is starting fully fit ...... and has already been beated by his new mate who has only ridden that bike for 3 days. Not good for Dani.

[ i haven't managed too watch any of the action from Sepang 2, but it sounds like it's as you were from Sepang 1... the tyre situation sounds the same, with the Hondas running soft rubber, Ducati and Yamaha on race tyres, Colin Edwards got himself up there, but don't know what tyres he was on but suspect it was soft..

Valentino as been talking about the elusive half second that he needs to find ever since Sepang 1, given that come race day with everybody on race rubber half a second maybe all he will need...

i was hoping that after the first test someone was going to come out and do a sub 2 minute lap but it's not looking likely now...

Hello Proc and everyone!

It seems things have changed somewhat this year. It's looking very unpredictable, just the way I like heheh :). It looks like that sponsor less Yamaha issue is for real after all :P. I took a look a Rossi's bike on MotoGP website and it could definitely be better looking. Can't they apply that Italian design to the paint job? heheheh. I can hardly wait for the racing to begin :)